The tragic death of San Diego baseball great Tony Gwynn came just days after he signed a one-year contract extension for his position as San Diego State's men's baseball coach, which he has held since 2002.

"I've already gone on the record saying that we want Tony Gwynn to stay on here at SDSU for as long as he wants," said SDSU Athletic Director James Strick. "Possibly even longer. Tony has been part of San Diego baseball since he started playing here in 1979. The least we can do is let Mr. Padre finish out his contract. Even if it's just a statue with "Mr. Padre" engraved on it. Let someone else handle the day-to-day. Tony Gwynn is an icon here at Tony Gwynn Stadium. We need him here. Just for a little longer."

Concluded Strick, "We're not about to Tony Gwynn our beloved Tony Gwynn just because he went and Tony Gwynned, you know? Some things are just worth Tony Gwynning for."